Violent crime in Stockton makes dramatic 2-month plunge

Police figures show 4.6 percent overall decline from 2012

STOCKTON - The Stockton Police Department released new figures Tuesday showing a dramatic decrease in violent crime over the first two months of 2013 compared with the same period in 2012, including a nearly 63 percent decline in homicides.

STOCKTON - The Stockton Police Department released new figures Tuesday showing a dramatic decrease in violent crime over the first two months of 2013 compared with the same period in 2012, including a nearly 63 percent decline in homicides.

Overall, crime in Stockton in January and February fell 4.6 percent from 2012, authorities said. The city experienced much steeper declines in homicides, forcible rapes, aggravated assaults and other violent crimes, an indication police are succeeding in their effort to target violent criminals, authorities said.

"We're taking a very aggressive stance toward criminals who are out committing violent crime," said Officer Joe Silva, a spokesman for the Police Department. "That's one of the priorities our department has. We're going after the violent criminals and violent gang members who are out in our neighborhoods committing crimes."

In January and February of 2012, there were eight homicides, 22 forcible rapes, 220 robberies, 584 aggravated assaults, 765 burglaries and 735 violent crimes reported in Stockton. Over the same period in 2013, there were three homicides, 13 forcible rapes, 188 robberies, 404 aggravated assaults, 735 burglaries and 608 violent crimes, authorities said.

According to police, homicides were down 62.5 percent, forcible rapes fell 40.9 percent, violent crimes dropped 17.3 percent and aggravated assaults declined 16.7 percent. Property crimes were down 1 percent, while motor vehicle thefts increased by 4.6 percent, from 366 in the first two months of 2012 to 383 in 2013.

Silva cited a number of possible factors for the decline in violent crime, saying the Police Department has received help from outside agencies and citizens are becoming more vigilant in the fight against crime.

"These officers are making arrests and taking weapons out of the hands of the most dangerous gang members and violent criminals," Silva said. "In addition to this, our community has helped out tremendously by reporting crimes."